Structural frame foundation



Sept 1952 H. s. SHANNON STRUCTURAL FRAME FOUNDATION 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed Nov. 29, 1946 INVENTOR. 6. a. SHANNON.

%omvex p 1952 H. s. SHANNON 2,610,710

STRUCTURAL FRAME FOUNDATION Filed Nov. 29, 1946 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Patented Sept. 16, 1952 lg:

STRUCTURAL FRAME FOUNDATION Harold Shannon, Detroit, Mich., assignor to I National Steel Corporation,

Delaware a corporation of Application-November 29, 1946, Serial No.-712,745

' 1 cam; (01. 189- 1) This invention relates generally to building construction and more particularly to foundation framing members. c

As is well known, mass prefabrication of building structure has materially reduced building costs and particularly the cost of building erection. However, little, if anything, has been done to reduce the costs. of building foundations. Usually, masonry foundations, such as poured concrete, are used which require considerable time to erect and required skilled workmen other than the workmen who erect the building. Consequently, these foundations are expensive, adding greatly to building costs.

It is therefore an object ofthepresent invention to provide for buidings, a structural framework foundation of factory made, ready to assemble frame members which may be quickly and inexpensively assembled without need of skilled labor. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved. foundationv frame structure for the supporting and connecting together of parts of building upper structure to facilitate erection of the building.

Another object of the invention is to provide a box-type grade beam of a character such that expensive masonry foundationsmay be eliminated without detrimental effects for certain types of small buildings. y

Another object of the invention is to provide a grade beam of the above mentioned character which is inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of a building construction embodying features of the present invention; y

Figure 2 is an end view of a box-like grade beam of the building construction of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of a structural detail of the grade beam, taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

V Figure 4 is afragmentary isometric view of a modification of thebuilding construction of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of a box-like grade beam and [associated structure of the building of Figure ,tfa'nd Figure 6 is a sectional view of the building construction, taken along theline 6-4 of'Figure 4. T i c I In the drawings, illustrating a preferred. embodiment of the :invention, the building'com' port upper structure of the building, have vertical leg l9. tutes the base of the grade struction shown includes a foundation frame ill and a plurality of exterior wall uprights or columns H. The foundation frame lfl cornprises, in general, a number of connected together, boxlike gradebeamsi2 which arepreferably constructed of steel. The columns 'll, extending upwardly from the frame foundation I0 totsl lipeir lower ends received and retained in the box-like grade beams l2, Preferably, the foundation frame I0 rests on so-called stabilized earth l3 which may be a mixture of earth and asphalt tamped and leveled in trenches l4. 3

The grade beam I2 has an upwardly facing channel and a laterally or inwardly facing channel, the channels having a common verticalwall [5. These channels may be formed by anangle member l6 and a channel member 11. The angle member l6 has a horizontal leg l8 and a The horizontal leg i8 constibeam .I 2- and seat for lower ends of the columns H, while the yentical leg l9 constitutes the outer sidewall of the box-like grade beam. The channel member web 15 is the vertical, common wall of the grade beam i2 and is in spaced parallel relation to the upstanding outer side wall 19 of the angle member to provide the upwardly facing channel wherein lower end portions of the columns H The channel member 11' has] a flange 2| and an upper fioor'supporting flange 22, the channel -member' I! being positioned so thatfits flanges 2l, 22 extend inare retained.

lower seating fwardly of the building laterally offset from the upwardly facing outer channel. Preferably, the channel flanges 2|, 22 are provided with reinforcing upturned and downturned flange portions 23, 24, respectively. The channel lower flange 2! seats flat on the base [8 to which it is preferably welded. Preferablv, anchorbolts 26, partially embedded in the stabilized earth 13 are provided to anchor the grade beams l2 thereto, the bolts 26 extending upwardly through apertures in the grade beam base I8 to receive nuts 21. At the outer side IQ of each ofv the foundation grade beams l2, the base Hithereof is pm- I vided with a downwardly extending moisture guard 28 which acts to prevent seepage of water under the structural foundation. This moisture guard 28 may be'made'bv depressing the metal of the base, forming a hollow bead along the entirelength thereof. This hollow bead is also used to receive lower edge portions 'of .insula- 'tion board 29. The insulation board 2,9,positions flat against the inner surface of the grade beam outer sidel9 which adjacent its upper eds f offset inwardly, as at 30, preferably the thickness of the insulation board 25. In addition to providing a retainer for the insulation board, the offset in the outer side I9 of the grade beam provides an outer supporting ledge 3! therealong on which the lower edge of exterior wall panels 32 may seat.

Disposed in the upwardly facing channel of the grade beam [2, in spaced relation therealong, is a plurality of column retainer members or straps 33 to receive respectively lower end portions of the columns I I. These column retainer members 33 are preferably channel or U-shaped members having a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed vertical plates or sides 34 extending across the upwardly facing channel and joined together by an outer side 35. The column retainer members 33 are arranged with the outer side 35 thereof engaging flat against the inner surface of the insulation board 29 and against the inner ing flange 22 of the channel member ll, the

column retainer members 33 also serving as reinforcing spacers for the sides of the upwardly facing grade beam channel [2. In one, or both of the opposite sides 34 of the column retainer members 33, slots 38 may be provided aligning with similar slots in the retainers to receive holding clips 39. The columns II are preferably generally rectangular in cross-section, fitting snugly into their retainers 33. In the inwardly offset portions 30 of the grade beam outer side l9, apertures may be provided to receive 'selfthreading screws 4! for securing the outer sides [9 of the grade beam [2 and the retainer members 33 together.

It will be seen that the above described foundation frame having the relatively wide, large area seating bases may be used for small buildings without need of expensive masonry foundations. The grade beams of these frame foundations may be completely fabricated at the factory in sections or assemblies including the column retainers 33 and the insulation board 29, and be supplied as assembled frame units to a building site. After the trenches have been dug and the stabilized earth tamped and leveled therein,

which is simple compared to the construction of the usual masonry foundation, it is only necessary to lay the grade beams [2 in place on the stabilized earth and suitably connect their adjacent ends together. The lower ends of the columns II can then be slipped respectively in their retainers 33 in the box-like grade beams, thus facilitating erection of the wall construction. The lower end portions of thecolumns ll fit snugly into their retainers 33 which thus locate the columns and restrictmovement of the lower ends thereof. After the wall framing has been erected, theouter wall panels I9. may be suitably secured to the columns I I seating on the grade beam ledges 3| and the flooring 25 can be laid, supported on the upper inturned flange 22 of the grade beam.

In the modification of Figures 4 to 6 inclusive, the building construction shown comprises, a frame foundation including box-like grade beams 42 and an upper structure including exterior wall uprights or columns 43. The box-like grade beams 42, as in the previously described construction, may rest on stabilized earth 44, such as a mixture of earth and asphalt, which may be tamped and leveled in trenches. The lower ends of the columns 43 are received and retained in the box-like grade beams 42 which also support the columns 43, distributing the load of the upper structure equally over a large area.

The box-like grade beams 42 each comprises an elongated, preferably steel member having opposite side walls 45 and a top wall 45. This boxlike grade beam may be economically constructed of suitable gauge sheet metal. Flanges 41, outturned from the grade beam side walls 45 seat on the stabilized earth 44 and spikes 48 may be driven through these flanges 41 into the stabilized earth to anchor the grade beam thereto. Carried by and within each of the grade beams 42 there is a plurality of column receiving retainers or socket members 59 which, are located at intervals along the length of the grade beams 42 in accordance with the. spacing of the columns 43. Preferably, the column retainers 53 are channel or U- shape having a pair of opposite vertical sides 51 and a horizontal connecting web 52. These column retainers 50 are arranged in the box-like grade beam 42 so that the retainer sides 51 extend across the beam between opposite side walls 45 thereof with the retainer web 52 adjacent the stabilized earth 44. This connecting web 52 of the column retainer 50 presents a seat located immediately below the grade beam top wall 46 for receiving the lower end of the column 43. At their upper edges, the column retainers 50 each have outturned securing flanges 53 seating flat against the underside of the beam top wall 46 from which the column retainers are suspended and to which they are preferably welded. The column retainers 53 may'also be welded at their opposite end edges to the opposite side walls 45 of the box-like beam to brace and reinforce the same.

In the grade beam top wall 46, a plurality of column receiving openings 54 are provided to permit the columns 43 to extend into their respective retainers 50 therein. These openings 54 spaced along the length of the beam are located adjacent the outer side thereof, the width of the beam being greater than the corresponding width of the columns to provide a supporting surface 55 adjacent the beam inner side.45 for flooring 56. The metal removed from the beam top wall 46 to provide the column clearance openings 54 is preferably bent upwardly, as at 51, providing a clip to which the column 43 may be attached by a bolt 58 to secure the column and the beam together. The outturned flanges 53 of the column retainers extend along side edges of the openings 54 in the top wall 46 of the beam, reinforcing the beam top wall at these opening locations.

The columns 43 may be of general rectangular cross-section having opposite sides 59 spaced apart so as to fit snugly into the retainers .50, the sides 59 being joined. by a web or outer side '60 disposed toward the outer grade beam side 45. In the present construction, this outer side. or

web 60 and adjacent portions of the sides 59 of the column are omitted or cut away. from a portion of the column at the lower end. thereof so that, the outer face of the columns will befflush with the outer side wall surface of the grade beam to permit outer wall covering or paneling to rest flat againstthese surfaces. At-the inner edges of the column sides 59, outturned flanges 64 present bearing surfaces for interior collateral and these flanges are omitted or cut away at lower end portions of the columns, as shown.

In this building construction, after the stabilized earth 44 has been tamped and leveled in the trenches, the box-like grade beams 42 may be set in place thereon and be suitably connected together forming a foundation framing for sup porting the upper structure of the building. The columns 43 are then lowered in place with their lower ends respectively engaging in the retainers 50 seating on the webs 52 thereof within the boxlike beam. The bolts 58 may then be inserted through aligning apertures in the columns and clips 51 to hold the columns to the beams. The flooring 56, outer and inner. wall coveringand other collateral may then be applied to the exterior walls.

While the herein described building structure has, among others, the advantage of being used without need of masonry foundations, it is to be understood that the structure could, if desired, be used on any suitable foundation.

I claim:

A building foundation frame member comprising, an angle member having a base portion and an upstanding side portion, a channel member seating on and secured to the base portion i extending longitudinally of the angle member, the channel member facing laterally with its web 6 cooperating with the angle member to provide an upwardly facing channel having a common wall with the laterally facing channel, an elongated hollow moisture guardextending below the base portion at the upstanding side portion, 111- sulation received in and extending urpwardli from the hollow moisture guard, an inturne'd supporting flange on the upstanding side portion immediately above the insulation, and a retainer strap secured to the web within the upwardly facing channel to receive a lower end portion of a building upright member, the retainer strap extending across the upwardly facing channel into engagement with the inturned supporting flange.

HAROLD S. SHANNON.

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Renn Jan. 14, 1941 

